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4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

L. C. O-ROWELL. MACHINE FOR BENDING METAL PLATES. No; 478,090. PatentedJuly 5,1892.

(No Model.)

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L. G. GROWELL.

MACHINE FOR BENDING METAL PLATES.

No. 478,090. Patented July 5, 1892.

' .(No Model.) 4 Shaw -Sheet 4. L. C. UROWELL. l

MACHINE FOR BBNDING MBTALILATES.

No. 478.090. Pamrsentedv July 5, 1.892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUTHER C. CROWELL, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO ROBERT HOE, STEPHEN D.TUCKER, THEODORE H. MEAD, AND CHARLES W. CARPENTER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MACHINE FOR BENDING METAL PLATES.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent 0. 478,090, dated July 5,1892.

Application filed December 13, 1890- SerialNo. 374,549- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LUTHER O. CROWELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for BendingMetal Plates, fully described and represented in the followingspecification and the accompan ying drawings, forming a part of thesame.

This invention relates to machines for bending metal plates, its objectbeing to provide an improved machine of this class.

While the invention is of general application in all arts in which metalplates are bent, the machine in which it 1s embodied has been designedand is especially adapted for use in. bending stereotype or electrotypeplates, and will be described as thus applied.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,Figure 1 is a side view of a bending-machine embodying my invention inits preferred form. Fig. 2 is an end view looking to the left in Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is an end view looking to the right in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is acentral longitudinal section showing the parts in different positions indotted lines. Fi 5 is a side elevation of a modified form of machine.Fig. 6 is a sectional plan of the same, the section being taken on theline 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail showing a slight modification.Fig. 8 is aside elevation of another form of machine; and Fig. 9 isasectional plan of the same, the section being taken on the line 9 9 ofFig. 8.

Referring especially to Figs. 1 to 4, A' is the frame of the machine, inwhich is supported in a fixed position the bending-cylinder B. Arms Dare. mounted at each end of the cylinder B, so as to oscillateconcentrically therewith, these arms being preferably splined torock-shaft C central to the cylinder, although they may be looselymounted on a stationary shaft or studs. The arms D extend outward beyondthe surface of the cylinder, and each carries outside the cylinder across-arm E, in which cross-arms are loosely mounted three bending-rollsF, lying in a plane tangential to the cylinder. The crossarms E areconnected by a bar G, which is provided centrally of the machine with anoperating-handle H. The bending-rolls F are set at a slight distancefrom the surface of the bending -cylinder B, and between the bendingrolls andcylinder is a table K, between which and the bending-cylinderthe plate is bent, and which is provided at each side with racks L,meshing with gears M upon each end of the cylinder. The cylinder isprovided with flanges N outside the gears M, which serve to guide thetable K and retain it in position longitudinally of the cylinder,

and a further guide is provided by the rib 0 upon the side of the tableopposite the cylinder, which engages with recesses P in thebending-rolls F, so that the table is held firmly in position by theshoulders of the recesses. Bars I serve as side guides to thestereotypeplate Q, to insure an accurate alignment of the type.

For clamping the edge of the stereotypeplate to the bending-cylinder thefollowing means are provided: On each side of the bending-cylinder B ispivotally mounted a grip R, extending approximately to the full lengthof the cylinder between the gears M, these grips R being provided witharms S, connected by pivoted links T to one end of a connecting-rod U,pivoted at its opposite end to lever V,whioh may be operated from eitherend of the machine by the treadles WV. The bending-cylinder is providedat each side justinside the grips R with a lip X, upon which the plateis supported in position to be gripped. The links T form atoggle-joint,wl1ioh is operated by the treadle to open or close thegrips and lock them in either position.

For the purpose of adjusting the bendingrolls F so as to graduate thepressure upon the plate and to compensate for wear of parts thecross-arms E are preferably adjustably secured to the arms D, as shownin Fig. 1, the adjustment being effected by means of looknuts 1 2 andthreaded rods .3, secured in the cross-heads 4 of arms D.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The parts being in theposition shown in Fig. 1, with the operating-handle horizontal and thetable vertical, the grips are opened by moving the toggle arms into theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4,and the plate Q is passeddownward between the table and cylinder until it rests upon the lip Xinside the grip R on that side of the cylinder, as shown in that figure,the proper alignment of the plate being obtained by the inner side ofone or both of the bars I. The toggle-arms R are then moved from theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 to that shown in full lines,closing the grip and clamping the plate firmly to the cylinder, the gripbeing locked by the toggle-joint. The bending-rolls F are then movedabout the bending-cylinder by the handle H, the edge of the plateremaining clamped to the bending-cylinder and the plate being bentaround the cylinder as the bending-rolls and table are carriedsuccessively into the different positions shown in dotted lines in Fig.4. When the handle and bending-rolls have completed a half-circuit andare brought into a position upon the opposite side of the cylindercorresponding to that at the beginning of their movement, thetoggle-arms T are operated to open the grip and the bent plate isremoved. The operation is then repeated by inserting another plate onthe side of the cylinder opposite that receiving the first plate and theplate bent by the reverse movement of the handle and bending-rolls.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have shown a machine in which the operation issubstantially the same exceptin the means for carrying the bendingrollsaround the cylinder. In this construction the shaft 0 is provided ateach end with a segmental gear Y, these gears engaging with pinions Z ateach end of a shaft Z, which may be operated by means of a handle H on.

the shaft, as shown, or in any other suitable manner.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modification in which the arrangement of recessand rib in the bending-rolls and table is reversed, the rib being uponthe rolls and the recess upon the table. machines for heavy work, as thebendingrolls are not weakened, as in the construction previouslydescribed.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown a machine which is simpler in somerespects than those previously described and in which the bendingpressure is more largely multiplied. In this construction the central ormain bending roll F is provided at each end with a gear J, which gearsengage the stationary gears M outside of the racks L upon the table. Thehandle H is then secured directly to the shaft of the roll F. Thus bythe operation of the handle H the roll F is rotated, and atthe same timethe bending-rolls are carried around the cylinderB by the engagement ofthe gearsJ M. As in this construction the table K is held firmly inposition by the gears J on either side and they in turn are held inposition by arms D, the central recess and rib O P may be omitted andthe rolls bear directly upon This may be found preferable inthe rearface of the table K throughout their length. It will be understood thatmeans for adjusting the bending roll or rolls relatively.

to the bending-cylinder may be used with this construction, as in Fig.1.

While I have shown my plate-bending machine in its most complete form asconstructed for bending stereotype and electrotype plates, it is evidentthat certain features of the construction shown may be omitted and thema chine still be a practical operative machine for the purpose forwhich it is designed. Thus while I have shown and prefer to use a rigidtable outside the plate traveling about the cylinder in planestangential thereto this 'table may be omitted, in which case Ipreferably use in bending stereotype and electrotype plates a sheet ofleather board or similar flexible material placed over the face of thetype, as usual in machines for bending such plates. A similar sheet maybe used also with the table if desired. In bending plain metal sheets,moreover, in which the pressure of the bending-rolls upon the face ofthe plates is unobjectionable, the plate may be bent by the directengagement of the bending-rolls.

While it is preferable to use a series of bending-rolls lying in a planetangential to the cylinder, as shown, so that one or more advance rollspartially bend the plate, and

the bend is completed by a roll close to the surface of the cylinder,inorder that the plate may be gradually bent, this is not absolutelyessential; but a single roll maybe used I with the table, the rollpressing the table and plate directly against the surface of thecylinder, as segmental rollE of the drawings.

In some arts, moreover, it may be found possible and even desirable tosubstitute for the bending-rolls a non rotating bar, and in claiming theconstruction by which plates may be bent about the cylinder in eitherdirection I do not limit myself to a bendingroll, but claim, broadly,abending-abutment of any form.

While the construction shown forms a very simple and convenient means ofcausing the table to travel about the cylinder, it is evident that othermeans may be used for the same purpose, and I claim the table travelingabout the cylinder and geared to the cylinder so as to retain itstangential position relatively thereto independently of any specialmeans by which this movement is 'produced. I

It will be seen that by my construction I provide a machine of greatsimplicity and strength in which the plates are uniformly bent and thewear of parts reduced to a minimum and in which there is no waste ofpower on the return movement of the parts, the plates being bent uponboth movements of the bending-rolls relatively to the cylinder. It willbe understood, however, that the feature of providing grips at each sideof the cylinder and bending plates by movements in either direction isnot essential to my invention, broadly, but thata machine in whichplates are bent in but one direction may be used to carry out myinvention.

What I claim is 1. The combination, with astationary bending-cylinder towhich the edge of the plate to be bent is secured, of a seriesof-bending-rolls. moving in an arc concentric with said cylinder andlying in a plane tangential thereto, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a stationary bending-cylinder to which the edgeof the plate to be bent is secured, of a table outside the plate,supported to travel about the cylinder while rigidly held in planestangential thereto, and a bending-roll engaging the outer side of saidtable and moving in an arc concentric with said cylinder, substantiallyas described.

3. The combination, with a stationary bending cylinder to which the edgeof the plate to be bent is secured and which is provided with gears ateach end, of a table outside the plate, having racks at each sidemeshing with said gears, and a bending-roll engaging the outer side ofsaid table and moving in an arc concentric with said cylinder,substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a stationary bending-cylinder to which the edgeof the plate to be bent is secured and which is provided with gears ateach end, of a table outside said plate, having racks at eachside'rneshing with said gears, and a series of bending-rolls engagingsimultaneously the outer side of said plate and moving in an arcconcentric with said cylinder, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a stationary bend: ing-cylinder to which theedge of the plate to be bent is secured, of a table .havinga'rackand-gear connection with said cylinder and means for causingsaidtable to travel about the cylinder, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with a stationary bending-cylinder to which the edgeof the plate to be bent is secured and which is provided with gears ateach end, of a table outside the plate, having racks at each sidemeshing with said gears, and means for causing said table to travelabout said cylinder, substantially as described.

7. The combination of a stationary bending-cylinder, a grip at each sidefor clamping the edge of the plate to be bent to the cylinder, and meansfor bending plates about the cylinder in either direction, substantiallyas described.

8. The combination of a stationary bending-cylinder, a grip on each sideof said cylinder for clamping the edge of the plate to be bent to saidcylinder, a toggle-joint connected to and operating both grips, andmeans for bending plates about the cylinder in either direction,substantially as described.

9. The combination ofa stationary bending-cylinder to which the edge ofthe plate'to be bent is secured, a table outside the plate, supported totravel about the table while rigidly held in planes tangential thereto,a stationary gearat each end of the cylinder, a rotatable bending-rollmounted'outside the table to move in an arc concentric with saidcylinder and in engagement with the table, and gears on saidbending-roll meshing with the stationary gears, substantially asdescribed.

10. The combination of stationary bendingcylinder B, provided with meansfor clamping the edges of plates to be bent, a stationary gear M at eachend of the cylinder, table K outside said plate, supported by racks L ateach side, meshing with gears 'M, arms D, swinging concentrically withsaid cylinder, and rotatable bending-roll F, mounted in said arms andhaving gears J meshing with gears M outside the racks L, substantiallyas de-. scribed.

11. The combination, with stationary bendingcylinder 13, provided withmeans for clamping the edges of plates to be bent and with the gear M ateach end, of table K outside the plate, supported by racks L at eachside, meshing with gears M, one or more guides I on said table, and oneor more bending-rolls engaging the outer side of the table and moving inarcs concentric with the bending-cylinder, said table and bending rollor rolls be ing provided with corresponding projections and depressionsby which the table is held in v position, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with a stationary bending-cylinder provided withgrips at each side for clamping the edge of plates to be bent to thecylinder, of a bending-abutment moving in an arc concentric with saidcylinder and constructed to bend plates on its movement in eitherdirection, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

LUTHER O. OROWELL. Witnesses:

G. M. BORST, G. J. SAWYER.

